maithes



S. Sv MAITHES.

FEELING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED APPLQ. I919.

Patented Jan. 18, 1921 3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Bag. 3. M

a 144m wto z 6211221165 5/14 Zffiea.

3 0% (new S. S. MATTHES.

REELING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 9, 1919 1,366,198, 0 Patelited Jan. 18,1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

S. S. MATTHES.

REELING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.9. 19x9.

Patented Jan. 18, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Gamm /Li Mal Z566.

Mme/11 UNITED STATES rarer-ii OFFICE.

SAMUEL S. MATTHES, OF MANSFIELD, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE OHIO BRASS COM.-

IE'ANY, 01 MANSFIELD, OHIO, A GQEPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

REELING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 18, 1921.

Application filed April 9, 1919. Serial No. 288,783.

T 0 all w 7mm may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMU L S. MATTHES, citizen oi" the United States of America, residing at Ildansiield, in the county of Elohland and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inReeling Devices, of which the following is a specification. i

This invention relates to improvements in reeling devices, and I have described its use and operation as applied to trolley retrievers although use is not limited to trolley re-.

trievers.

One object oil the invention is to provide a device or this character which may be adjust ed to obtain any desired amount oi retrieving action within the limits of the device.

Another object is to provide a reeling device embodying mechanism whereby the setting of the retrieving mechanism is controlled by the tension or" the retrieving spring.

A "further object isto provide a device of the character referred to which will be simple, durable, reliable and compact in construction and eiiective and eilicient in operation.

To the attainment of these encs and the accomplishment of other new and useful ob jects as will appear, the invention consists in the novel features of the construction, COl'l'lblllEttlUll and arrangement of the several. parts to be hereinafter described more fully, and claii'i'icd, and shown in the accompanyingclrawings, in which:

Figure l is a side view of a reeling mechanism embodying the principle of my invention and shown partly in section to illustrate the constructionalarrangement of the various parts.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the lines 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 3 3 oi Fig. 2.

Fig. a sectional view substantially on the line l4 of Fig. 1, and showing the mechanism set up or the retrieving disk in interlocked relation with the case.

Fig. 5 is a detail view of the retrieving disk.

Flg. 6 is a perspective view of the pawl.

anism unlocked and about to commence its retracting action on the pole, (full lines).

Fig. 8 is a sectional view substantially on the line 8-8 of Fig. lQshowing the parts in interlocked relation and in which position the retrieving spring is wound up, or set.

Fig. 9 is a similar view as Fig. 8, showing the locking device out of engagement with the retrieving disk and also showing the means whereby the device ismaintained in disengaged condition.

Fig. 10 1s a similar vlew as Figs. 8-9

showing the resetting mechanism in position preparatory to interlocking the parts.

lay invention as applied to trolley retrievers consists in providing a locking device which normally operates to hold the power spring under tension and which shall automatically be released to permit unwinding of the power springto wind up the trolhey rope. It further consists in providing means whereby the locking device is held in released position during the unwinding of the power spring and which tends to maintain the locking device in inoperative position during unwinding of the rope, thereby toefi'ect the setting or winding up of the power spring. Furthermore, it consists in In carrying out the preferred form of my invention I provide a casing 1 having a cover 2 rcmovably secured thereto in any suitable manner. Mounted within a recess formed in the casing is a power orretrieving spring 3, which has its outer end secured to the casing and its inner end connected, in any suitable or well known manner, to the hub 4:, or? a driver 5, which is rotatably mounted on the shaft 6, secured within the casing. The

driver 5 comprises adriving arm 7, which extends and has a limited amount of move- .ment between stops 8 and 9, provided on one side of the retrieving disk or retrieving member 10, which is rotatably mounted on the shaft 6 and normally interlocked with the casing against relative rotation by means the side of the drum adjacent the retrieving oi the locking device or pawl ll, which is pivotaily secured to the casing at 12, and has its free end rmed for en 'agemeirt with the shoulder .Lil, thereby to prevent rotation of the disk by the action or the power spring as shown in Figs. 4: and 8. A movable member is *otally secured at 15 to the driving arm 7' of the driver and has one end of a tension spring 16 connected thereto, while the other end ofthe spring is connected to the driving arm 7. This spring tends to constantly urge the member 14: to rotate toward and into engagement with its cooperatingstop lug 17, the purpose of which will hereinaii'ter be described.

When the retrieving member 10 is in normally interlocked engagement with the easing, as above stated, the retrieving spring 3 is fully wound up or set, the driving arm 7 held in engagement with the stop 8 by the tension on the retrieving spring, and the movable member 14: held in spaced relation with its stop 17 against the action of the spring 16 by engagement with the locking device or pawl as indicated at 18.

The retrieving disk 10 is provided with a lug 20, through which extends a screw 21. having threaded engagement with one end of a tension spring 22, the other end of which is connected to the driving arm 7 of the driver. This spring tends to rotate the arm 7 against the action of the retrieving spring, and is adapted to move the arm toward and into engagement with the stop 9 when the tension on the retrieving spring weakens by reason oi its unwinding when brought into action. This sprin which will be referred to hereinafter as the con trol spring, has its one end secured to the disk by means of the screw 21, as before stated, and it will be apparent that by this arrangement the spring may be adjusted to obtain any required or desired amount of tension.

Rotatably mounted, preferably upon the hub 23 of the retrieving disk, is a drum 24, adapted to receive the trolley rope 25. The drum isformed with a recess 26 to receive the service spring 27 which normally operates to keep the trolley rope taut. The outer end of this spring is secured to the drum, while the inner end thereof may be connected in the usual manner, to a sleeve 28, ad justably mounted by means of ratchet teeth, not shown, or otherwise. By adjustment of the sleeve 28, the tension on the service spring may be increased or decreased to suit various conditions.

In order to throw the locking pawl. 11 to release the retrieving disk and to interlock said disk with the orum, the latter carries a plurality of centrifugal dogs 30, which are pivotally mounted in suitable sockets or bearings 31 formed in integral bosses 32 on member 10. W hen normally operating these dogs are yieldably maintained in inward or retracted position by springs 33, the free ends or the dogs resting against the adjacent bosses, as clearly shown in Figs. 4: and These dogs are arranged so that they will be sensitive to abnormal fluctuations of the trolley pole, such for instance as when the trolley pole leaves the trolley wire and flies upwardly. Because of the undue speed of the drum incident to the quick upward movemen' move c "lly against the peripheral flange 54; on the retrieving disk under the action or" centrifugal force.

It will be noticed that the locking pawl. 11 has a flange 2:15 which when the pawl is in locking position extends within the nange 3d and hence within the path oi the free ends of the centrifugal dogs. in consequence, the dog which at the instant is nearest to the pawl will strike the :"iango and force it outwardly, thus moving the pawl out of locking engagement with the retrieving disk. In order to insure positive releasing action on the part of the dogs, I provide an outstanding rib 36 on the cc of the retrieving disk. This rib is located adjacent the locking pawl to provide a comparatively narrow s1 ce between the rib and the flange 34. In a .dition the free ends oi the dogs are'provided with extensions or shoes 37 51 suiiicient thickness to pass throughthe spa-c between the rib 36 and the flange 34. Consequently, the free end of the particular dog in action will positively force the pawl outt why and out of interlocked engagement the retriever disk. Fig. 7 shows in ted lines one of the dogs in the act of entering said space and tripping or throwing outwardly the latch. Assuming now that the pawl has been thrown out and the retrieving disk released as indicated in Fig. 7, it now remains to lock the disk and the drum together so that said disk will actuate the drum in a direction to wind up the rope and pull down the trolley. This is accoin plished by the centrifugal dog, which after tripping the pawl continues its movement toward and into engagement with the shoulder 38, formed in the periphery of the flange and thereby positively interlocks the disk with the drum and the drum wih then be rotated with the retrieving disk and wind up the trolley rope. i

When the locking pawl 11 moves out of engagement with the retrieving disk it also releases the movable member 14 which im mediately moves by the action of the spring 16 into engagement with its coijperatinq stop lug 17, (see Fig. 9),-where it operate s to prevent reengagement of the pawl 11 prior to the unwinding of thepower spring and tends to maintain said pawl in discriiii,

a the trolley pole the dogs will gaged position until the power spring is again set or wound up to the proper or de sired tension. During this movement of the member 14:; it is brought into frictional engagement with and slightl' depresses a leaf spring 89 {see Fig. 3 for etails) which operates to retard movement of the member 14. The spring 16 is assisted in overcoming the retarding action of the spring 39 by the momentum of the part 14, as it is not sufficiently strong to overcome alone this retarding action as will be brought out later.

The operation of my invention is as follows: When the power spring is fully wound up or set and the parts are in their normal position they will be as represented in Figs. 2, 4t and 5 5. The locking pawl 11 will be in engagement with the retrieving disk 10 hold ing the movable part 14: in inoperative position away from its coiiperating stop 17 The driving arm 7 of the driver will be held in engagement with the stop 8 against the action 01 the control spring 22 by the tension of the power spring and the centrifugal dogs 30 hold in engagement with the bosses 32 as shown. In this condition the drum will be under the action of the service spring 27 and the trolley rope may be wound up or unwound thereon. When the rope is rapidly unwound from the drum as when the trolley pole jumps the wire, the sudden impulse or rapid rotation of the drum will cause the dogs 30 to move outwardly by centrifugal force and move the locking pawls out of engagement with the retrieving disk and interlock the drum with the retrieving disk in the manner hereinbefore described. When this has taken place the parts will be in the position shown in Figs. 7 and 9 (full lines). Next the retriever disk and the drum will be caused to rotate in the rope winding direction by the power spring 3 through the medium of the driver 5 and the control spring 22. As the drum rotates, the power spring, which is normally held under tension slightly higher than that of the control spring 22, weakens, thereby permitting the control spring to act upon the driver 5 and move the driving arm 7 into engagement with the stop 9. This positioning ot the driving arm 7 shifts the pivot point 15 of the movable part 1 1 which by reason oi its free end having engagement with stop lug 17, is thereby caused to change its position on the arm. Fig. 9 indicates in dotted lines the relation of the parts when the arm in engagement with the stop 9,

- and in which condition of the parts the power spring is unwound and the trolley rope wound up. The interlocked disk 10 and drum 24 are free to rotate in a rope winding direction under action 01 the spring 3 and without interference by the dog 11 for the reason that the movable part 14: has moved into the position shown in Fig. 9 and closed the space in the slot B. in the disk 10, thereby preventing the dog 11 from reengaging the disk at the end of one rev0lution and preventing further rotation of the.

disk and drum in a rope-winding direction.

To set or. restore the parts to their normal operating condition after the device has operated as above, it is only necessary to pull out on the trolley rope, thereby unwinding the same and turning the drum and the retriever disk in the direction indicated by arrow in Figs. 8 and 10. As the rope is pulled out and the disk revolves, the driving arm 7 of the driver is held in engagement with'the stop 9 by the control spring 22, which is exerting a greater tension at first than the spring 3, the locking pawl 11 is prevented from entering the slot B in the disk by the movable part 14, and the power spring 3 will be wound up until its tension becomes equal to or balances the tension of the control spring 22. Then upon continued rotation of the parts in the same direction and the consequent further tensioning of the power spring 3, the control spring will be caused to yield and the driving arm 7 of the driver move toward and into engagement with the stop 8 under the influence of the power spring. By this positioning of the driving arm 7 the movable part 1 1 will be carried out of engagement with the stop 17, thereby opening a portion of the slot B as indicated at D; (see dotted line position of parts Fig. 10). In order to yieldably maintain the part 14 in this position on the arm,

Imake use of the flat or leaf spring 39,

(see Fig. 3 for details), already referred to and which engages and thereby resists movement of said part relatively to the pawl 11. With this construction, continued rotation of the disk brings the opening D'in alinement with the lip d0 of the locking pawl which will then move into said opening, as shown in Fig. 10. In consequence of this relation of the parts the lip 10 of the pawl is positioned in the path of the movable part 14, and said lip will in the continued rotation of the disk shift the part 14: to

completely open the slot B and thereby permit movement of the pawl into the opening where it is in locking position. When the pawl IS in this posit1on further rotation of the disk to wind up the power spring is prevented by the shoulder 41 of the disk which 1s adapted to limit said rotation by engagement with the shoulder 42 of the pawl, and rotation of the disk in the opposite direction, or to unwind the spring, is prevented by engagement of the end 4-3 of the pawl with the shoulder 13 of the disk. Thus it will be obvious that when the pawl is in looking position it positively prevents rotation of the disk in either direction. Figs. 2, 1 and 8 indicate the disk and pawl in normal interlocked position.

It now remains to release the drum from the retriever disk, which it will be remembered were held interlocked while. the parts were being restored to normal operative condition, and asshown inFig. 7. This is accomplished as soon as the pull on thetrolley rope is relaxed, .whereuponthedrum will start to rotate in the opposite direction under the influence of the service spring 2?, and in this movement it carries the centrifugal dog out of engagement with the stop shoulder 38 of the disk. This dog moves out until it passes the end or" the guide rib 44 and it is then drawn inwardly against the boss 32 by its spring 33, thus finally unlocking the drumv from the disk and leaving 'the drum free. to again normally wind up and unwindthe trolley rope.

It will be noted from the foregoing that the mechanism. which automatically governs the restoration of the device to the normal operating condition is controlledby the spring 22, and that by varying thetension of this spring as herein provided, the parts may be adjusted to obtain any de sired tensionon the power spring'when in wound up or set position within the limits of the construction.

It will be obvious to one skilled in the art, after having obtained an understanding of my invention from the disclosures herein made, that my invention may be modified without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, and I wish my invention to be understood accordingly.

I claim as my invention:

1. A reeling device comprising a casing, a power spring therein, means for winding up the spring, and mechanism normally interlocked and coacting with the casing for holding the spring under tension, said mechanism comprising means controlled and actuated by the tension in the spring for com pelling the winding up of the spring to a predetermined tension before the interlock ing of the mechanism with the casing can be accomplished.

A reeling device comprising a casing, a power spring therein, means for winding up the spring, andmechanism normally interlocked and coacting with the casing for holding the spring under tension, said mechanisn comprising means actuated by the to 1 in the spring for preventing the winning up oi? the spring to exceed a pre determined tension before the interlocking oi the mechanism with the casing is accomplished.

'3. A reeling device comprising a casing, a power spring therein, means for winding up the spring, mechanism in operative engagement with the casing fornormally holding the spring under tension, said mechanism comprising means actuated by a predetermined tension in the spring for con menace a reel mounted therein adapted. to receive.

and wind up a trolleyrope, a power'spring to rotate the reel, means whereby the spring is wound up by rotation of the reel in a rope unwinding direction, means operating to normally hold the spring under tension when fully wound up, and means controlled by the tension onthe spring and co-acting with said holding means-to limit the wind ing up tensionot the spring.

5. A reeling device comprising a casing, a rotatablev reel therein adapted to receive and wind up a trolley r0pe,.a power spring to rotate the. reel in the rope winding direction, meanswhereby'the' spring'is wound up by. rotating. 'the'reel in therope unwinding direction, a locking device coacting with the casing for holdingthe spring under tension, and means-actuatedan'd controlled by the tension on the; power spring and co operating with the lockingidevice to render the latter ineffective prior to the winding up of the spring to a predetermined ten- SL011.

6. A reeling devicecomprising a casing, a rotatable reeltherein adapted to wind up a trolley rope, a power spring to rotate the reel. in the rope winding. direction, mechanism to wind up the spring by rotation of the reel in the opposite direction, a holding ice coacting with the casing for maintaining the spring under tension when wcund up, and means controlled by the tension on the spring for maintaining the hold device in inoperative position until the o'-. .'er spring is wound up to a predetermined tension.

A. reeling device comprising a casing, shaft therein, a reel mounted on the shaft adapted to receive and windup a trolley rope, a power spring to rotate the reelin the rope winding direction secured atone cndto the casing, mechanism whereby the spring is wound up by rotation of the reel in the rope unwinding direction engaging 'the other end of the spring, a locking device normally coacting with the casing for ho ding the spring under tension, and means ciated with said mechanism and controlled by the tension of the power spring to cooperate with said locking device for 'ntaining the locking device inactive do lng rotation of the reel to wind up the rope.

8. In a reeling device adapted to have a rope wound uponand unwound therefrom, the combination of a retrieving member, a power spring tending to rotate the member in one direction, means for rotating the member in the other direction and against the action of the spring to wind up the spring, a device for locking the member against rotation in the direction urged by the roaring, means for actuating said looking device to release the member, and mechanism comprising a pair of coiiperating members for maintaining the locking device iu released position during rotation of the. retrieving member in a spring unwind ing direction, said pair of members controlled by the tension of the spring and op erating to permit the locking device to return to its locking position after the spring has been wound up to a predetermined ten- S1011.

9. Pin article of manufacture comprising in combination a retrieving member, a power spring for actuating the member and mech anisni connecting the spring and member whereby the power of the. spring is transmittod to the member, said mechanism comprising anelement having a rotative movement relatively to the member and controlled by the spring when wound up to a predetermined tension.

it). An article oi manufacture comprising in combination a retrieving member, a power spring to rotate the member, and mechanism interposed between the spring and member and by means of which the member is driven by the spring, said mechanism comprising an element having engagement with the spring and mounted for relative rotation with the member and being normally held in engagement with the member by the tension in said spring.

11. An article of manufacture comprising in combination a rotatable member, a power spring for rotating the member, and con necting mechanism interposed between the member and the spring, said mechanism con'iprising a driving element connected to and controlled by the tension in the spring and having yield-able engagement with the. member providing for movement of the mechanism relatively to the member during o ')e1.'ali n1 oi the device.

12. In a reeling device, the combination of a retrieving member, a power spring to rotate the member and mechanisminterposed between the spring and the member, said mechanism comprising a driving element connected to the spring and movable from it one position to another relatively to the member by tension of said spring when the spring is being wound up.

13. In a trolley retriever, the combination of a normally stationary retrieving member,

a power spring tending to rotate the member in one direction, a latch for holding the member against rotation by the spring, means actuated by centrifugal force to release the latch, and connecting mechanism interposed between the spring and the member through which power of the spring is transmitted to the retrieving member, said mechanism comprising a member controlled by the latch and movable into operative position when released by relative movement of the latch for preventing movement of the latch into holding position during rotation of the retrieving member by the spring.

14-. In a reeling device, the combination with a retrieving'member, a power spring tending to rotate the member in one direction, means for rotating said member in the other direction and against the tension of said spring, a latch for locking said member against rotation in the direction urged by the spring, and mechanism connecting the member and the spring and movable relatively to the member and into normal position by tension of the spring, said mechanism comprising a movable member for controlling the setting of the latch and normally held in inoperative position by on.- gagement with the latch.

15. In a reeling device, the combination of a retrieving member, a power spring for rotating the member in one direction, a lock operable when set to hold the retrieving member against rotation in either direction, and connecting mechanism interposed between the member and the spring fortransmitting power of the spring to the member and for controlling the setting or" the latch, said mechanism comprising a driving element connected to the. spring and normally held in yieldable engagement with the retrieving member by tension 01": the spring, and a movable member carried by said element and normally controlled by the latch.

16. In a reeling device, the combination of a retrieving member havin two shoulders spaced apart, a power spring for rotating the member in one direction, a latch operable when set to hold the retrieving member against rotation by the spring, means for actuating the latch to release the disk, and connecting mechanism interposed between the member and spring for transmitting power of the spring to the member and for controlling the latch, said mechanism comprising a driving element having engagement with the power spring and arranged and constantly urged in one direction of rotation between said shoulders by tension of the power spring, a control spring tending to'rotate said element in the opposite direction and against action of the power spring, said element normally maintained in engagement with one of said shoulders by tension of the power spring and rotated relatively to the retrieving member and into engagement with the other shoulder by action of the control spring during unwinding of the power spring, and means actuated by the relative movement between said element and member for controlling the setting of the latch.

17. In a reeling mechanism the combination of .a case, a retrieving member therein,

a spring to rotate the member, an automatically operating device normally holding the member in interlocked relation with the case against rotation by the sprin said device and member provided with coiiperating faces whereby rotation of the member in either direction is limited when the member is in interlocked relation with the case, centrifugally controlled means for actuating the device to release the retrieving member and means controlled by the tension in the spring to control the reengagement of the holding device and the retrieving member.

18. In a reeling mechanism the combination of a case, a rotatable member therein, means for normally interlocking the member with the case against relative rotation, a power spring tending to rotate the n'iember in one direction, means for rotating the member in the other direction, and mechanism connecting the spring and member, said mechanism comprising a driving element connected to the spring and arranged for relative rotation with the member and operating to tra smit power of the spring to the member and having a movable part mounted thereon to engage with the interlocking means for allowing rotation of the member.

19. In a reeling mechanism the combination with a case, a retrieving member rotatable therein, a power spring normally wound up for rotating the member, means for normall interlocking the member with the case against relative rotation, and means for disengaging said interlocking means to permit rotation of the member. of mechanism interposed between the spring and the member, said mechanism comprising a driving element having engagement with the spring and a yieldable connection with the member for transmitting power of the spring to the member, and means secured to said element and rotating therewith for con trolling the interlocking means.

20. In a reeling mechanism the combina tion with a case, a rotatable member therein, means for normally interlocking the member with the case against relative rotation, means to engage with and thereby disengage the locking means to permit rotation of the member, and a power spring normally held under tension, of mechanism connecting the spring and member for transmitting power of the spring to the member and c0- acting with said member to maintain the locking means in disengaged position during rotation of the member, said mechanism comprising a power element having engagement with the power spring and normally held in engagement with the member by the tension of said spring and resilient means connecting said power element andinember and normally yielding to the tension of the power for-actuating the elementrelatively to the member during unwinding of the spring.

21. A reeling device comprising a casing, a shaft mounted thereon, a reel. rotatably mounted on the shaft to receive and wind up a trolley rope, a power spring in the casing to rotate the reel in one direction, means whereby the spring is wound up by rotation of the reel in a rope unwinding direction, means to normally hold the spring under tension when fully wound up, and means controlled by the tension on the. spring and coacting with the l'iolding means to limit the winding up of the spring to a predetermined tension, said last mentioned means comprising driving element rotatably mounted on the shaft and connected to the spring for transmitting power of the spring to the reel and normally controlled by tension of the spring.

22. In a reeling device, the combination of a retrieving member, a power spring normally wound up and tending to rotate the member in one direction, means for rotating the member in the other direction to wind up the spring, a latch pivotally secured to the casing for locking the member against rotation in either direction, means centrifugally controlled for releasing the latch to permit rotation of the member in either direction and mechanism interposed between the member and spring andv controlled by the tension of the power spring and cooperating with the latch for compelling the winding up of the spring to a predeterrined tension prior to locking the member against rotation in the direction to wind. up the spring.

In. a reeling mechanism, the combination of a rotating member, a power spring normally wound up and tending to rotate the member in one direction, means for rotating the member in the other direction to wind up the spring, a latch for locking the member against rotation in either direction, means for releasing the latch and means controlled by the tension of the power spring and cooperating with the latch for compelling the winding up of the spring to a predetermined tension prior to locking the member against rotation in the spring-winding direction, the said mechanism consisting of a driving arm rotatable with and having a limited amount of movement relatively to the member and having engagement with the power spring whereby the driving arm is constantly urged in one direction of rotation, a control spring connecting the retrieving member and the driving arm and tending to rotate the driving arm in a direction opposed to that by the power spring but yielding to the tension of the power spring. means for varying the tension of the control spring and a spring actuated mente her carried by the driving arm and 0perating upon release of the latch to maintain the latch in a released position during rotation her, a casing wherein the member is rotatably mounted, a power spring for urging said member in one direction of rotation, means for rotating said retrieving member in the reverse direction and against the tension oi. said power spring, a lock movably secured to the casing and operable when in normal position to restrain the member against rotation in either direction, means operated by centrifugal force to release the lock, and mechanism connecting the spring and the member, said mechanism comprising an element having engagement with said spring for transmitting power of the spring to the member and arranged for movement relatively to the member, and a yieldable adjustable connection between the member and element normally yielding to the tension of the power spring.

25. The combination as set forth in claim 24, and means carried by said element and actuated by the relative movement between said element and member for preventing engagement of the lock with the retrieving member prior to the rewinding of the power spring to a predetermined tension.

in a reeling device the combination or" a case, a retrieving member mounted therein for rotation and provided with a slot, a spring constantly urging the retrieving member in one direction of rotation, means for rotating the member in the other direction, a locking device movably supported by the case and adapted to enter said slot where it operates to lock the member against rotation, means for moving the locking de vice out of the slot to permit rotation of the member by the spring, means for preventing engagement of the locking device with the slot during rotation of the member by the spring, and means dependent upon the ten sion of said spring foractuating the last mentioned means to permit engagement of the locking device with the slot when the spring is wound up to a predetermined tension.

27. In a reeling device the combination with a reel adapted to receive a rope, a casing wherein the reel is mounted, a spring normally held under tension for rotating the reel in a rope-winding direction and secured to the casing at one end, mechanism connecting the reel with the other end of the spring. a device for holding the spring under tension, and means for releasing the holding device and permitting the power of the spring to be transmitted to the reel; of

means controlled by and dependent upon the winding up of the spring to a'predetermined tension for limiting the winding up of the spring.

.28. In a reeling device the combination of a case, a reel rotativcly mounted in the case, a spring connected at one end to the case and normally held under tension for rotating the reel in one direction and mechanism for normally holding the spring under tension, of means connecting the other end of the spring with the reel and automatically adjustable relatively to the holding mechanism by the spring when wound from one tension to a greater predetermined tension for controlling. and locking the holding mechanism under tension.

29. In a reeling device the combination of a case, a rotatable retrieving member mounted therein, a power spring for rotating the member in one direction, means for normally locking the member against rotation by the spring and thereby holding the spring under tension, a driving element between the spring and member having a connection with the spring and normally held in one position relatively to the member by tension of the spring for transmitting power at the spring to the member, and a second springconnecting the member and element for actuating the element relatively to the member when the tension of the power spring is relaxed, and means actuated by the relative movement between said element and member for preventing the locking means moving into operative position prior to the winding up of the power spring to a predetermined tension.

30. The combination of a rotary retrieving member, a spring constantly urging the member in one direction of rotation, means for rotatin the member in the reverse direction and against the tension of the spring, and means controlled by the spring and operable after the spring has been wound up to a 'nfedetermined tension for positively locking said retriever member against rotation in either direction.

31. An article of manufacture comprising in combination a case, a retrieving member mounted therein, and provided with a slot, a spring tending to rotate the member in one direction, means for rotating the member in the other direction and against the tension of the spring, means secured to the case and operable when set in said slot ,to lock the member against rotation in the direction urged by the spring, and means controlled by the tension in the spring for setting the locking means when the tension in the spring has reached a predetermined amount.

32. An article of manufacture comprising in combination a case, a retrieving disk therein, a spring tending to rotate the disk in one direction, means for rotating the disk in the other direction and against the tension of the spring, means coacting with the case for locking the disk against rotation in the direction urged by the spring, means controlled and actuated relatively to the disk by the tension in the spring for setting the locking means when the tension in the spring has reached a predetermined amount and means whereby the tension required to operate the means controlled thereby is adjusted.

38. In a winding device of the cha -acter described, a retrieving member, a spring to rotate the retrieving member in one direction, means for locking the retrieving member against rotation by the spring and means controlled and continually acted upon by the tension of the spring for setting the locking means to prevent rotation of the retrieving member by the spring.

84. In a winding device of the character described, a rotatable retrieving member, a spring to rotate the member a plurality of revolutions in one direction, means to rotate the member in the other direction to wind up the spring, and means dependent upon the winding up of the spring to a predetermined tension for locking the retrieving member against rotation by the spring.

35. In a reeling device of the character described, two relatively rotatable members, a spring having one end secured to one of the members and constantly tending to rotate the other member in one direction, a sec- 0nd spring connecting the other end of the first mentioned spring to the other member, and means for adjusting said second spring.

36. In a trolley retriever, mechanism con trolled and operated by the tension. of the retrieving spring for controlling the setting of the device to normal operative position.

37. In a spring 0 erated reeling device, mechanism controllec by the tension in the spring to prevent winding the spring be yond the predetermined tension, such mechanism functioning regardless of the number of revolutions of any part of the reeling device.

38. A reeling device comprising a casin a reel mounted therein and adapted to re ceive and wind up a rope, a power spring to rotate'the reel, means whereby the'spring is wound up by the rotation of the reel in a rope unwinding direction, means operating to check the winding of the spring beyond a predetermined tension in the spring, and means controlled by the tension in the spring andacting' on the last named means to cause said means to function.

39. A reeling device comprising a casing, a power spring therein, a retrieving member rotatably controlled by the spring, means for locking the retrieving mechanism against ro cation and holding the spring under a predetermined tension, means for winding up the spring, and means controlled by the tension in the spring to prevent winding the spring beyond the predetermined tension.

40. The combination of a rotatable retriever disk, a spring for rotating the disk in one direction, means for rotating the disk in the opposite direction and against the action of the Sprin :1 locking de ice for locking the disk against rotation by the spring, means for co-acting with the locking device to hold the disk against rotation, and an element rotatable with the disk and having a limited amount of movement relatively thereto adapted to maintain the lock in released position while the spring is being wound up and dependent upon a predetermined tension of the spring for causing aid locking device to move into locking position.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

SAMUEL S. MATTHES. 

